Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Fun, Fitness & Photography
Mentoring for Success
As a university educator, I have the honor and privilege of shaping the minds of young adults. My retirement from public service required that I take one semester off from teaching. I realize how much I miss being on campus with adults seeking education for their future careers.
My daughter is in her final semester and still lives at home, so at least, I can live vicariously through her, although she wants no part of it when I start asking questions.
Although I am not teaching this semester, I still have a few duties in helping students. Earlier this month, one of my students asked me for a letter of recommendation for his internship with the Coast Guard’s Morale, Recreation and Welfare program. He was an excellent student, the kind all educators want in their classroom. Students like him are easy to mentor, if they even need mentoring.
I could have refused, since I am not currently working and do not get “paid” for these types of things. But since writing a letter of recommendation is no sweat, I just did it. He is certain to get this internship because he already exhibits professional acumen and a good work ethic, and I was very happy to assist with this process.
After I sent the letter to him by e-mail, he e-mailed back, “Thank you so much! I truly appreciate it! I will keep you updated with any good news.”
How wonderful is that?
Another example of this was from last semester, when I saw that one of my students in the same class was heading toward an F grade. I sent her a message cautioning her about her excessive absences and late assignments. I even went to our department chair to ask his advice. When he told me that she was a transfer student from a community college and only taking six units, and had been on academic probation before, I decided I needed to talk to her in person.
Did I have to do this and spend time on this student? Nope. But, isn’t it our job as educators to build the capacity for knowledge and success in our students?
Of course it is.
My daughter had gone through this phase and she regretted the time she lost when she was placed on academic expulsion. I did not want to see this young woman screw up her life by being careless with her education.
I called her in and laid out the issues. Of course, she started crying. She explained her sister was battling drug addiction and she felt compelled to help her, thus the absences and late homework. After sorting out some details, I simply told her to let her parents deal with the sister.
“This is your time now,” I said. “If you fail this class, you cannot ever come back to a California State University. If you flunk out, you can never be in a position to help your sister.”
Thankfully, she took my advice, straightened up and managed a “C” in the class.
How wonderful is that?
Mentoring university students is a blessing. Many full-time professors do not mentor their students, for a variety of reasons. While teaching these last four years, I still had my demanding day job, yet I still took the time to reply to student e-mails (yes, and text messages) in a timely manner. I guess after teaching for four years part-time, I’m still a “newb” and not yet an embattled, overworked, under-appreciated faculty member.
And even though I do not have a PhD and am part-time faculty, the students still call me “professor.”
How wonderful is that?
Join RonovanWrites for The Be Wonderful on Wednesday Network.
19 Comments on “Mentoring for Success”
What is YOUR perspective? (Please note that when you visit, like, comment on, and share my blog posts, you are agreeing with the storage and handling of your data by WordPress. My privacy statement is in the above menu).
My eBook on Amazon
Sunday Stills Photography Challenge
I actually was a teacher as well. One thing I always kept in mind was that each student learned differently and was motivated differently. Teachers that care can see it and head off disaster before it happens and we end up with a frustrated person who can pass that frustration on to the future. Nice article. Enjoyed it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ronovan! And thanks for hosting the event! We need more positivism in this world, or bloggers will just comment on all the bad news the media reports.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good advice. Even better, she took it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done, Terri. I was delighted, although not surprised, to hear about your interest and generosity towards your students. The world needs more ‘professors’ like you.
Kudos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lucile! Connecting with students is really amazing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank yourself my dear! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I mentor a young lady and I look forward to seeing her weekly as much as she enjoys my visits. You get what you give. My daughter teaches high school, and there are a lot of teachers who seem to just go through the motions. The job is so much more than education.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s amazing how a little attention goes a log way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your advice to the student as well as your letter of recommendation spoke to your dedication, support and enthusiasm for educating people. I salute you and all teachers out there who help students to achieve their goals!
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Lia! Teachers at any level have a certain passion. I’m lucky I can do what I do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Wow! Wow! I need to show this to my students tomorrow! Eighty percent of their high school teachers just pass them on by handing them a grade. They come back to me from junior college crying “you were right, I need to learn how to study “. I needed to see this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, well, thank you 🙂 I don’t understand how teachers at any level can NOT talk with their students. I appreciate your comment coming from a fellow educator! Thanks for reading 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll enjoy reading your thoughts😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent! (This was in my spam file 😐 ).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Whoa! My gravatar is working (at least it is on your theme).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, there is that kitty!! Meow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Robyn went in and fixed it for me. Yay!! I’m so happy now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this! My daughter just completed her freshman year in college, and I could not be happier with the faculty at her university and all the invest in their students, in and out of the classroom. It is such a pleasure to watch her grow, and much of it is a result of direct mentoring from her professors. Thank you for all you put into these college students!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! and congrats on your daughter’s first year in college. I love working with college age young people!!
LikeLike